THE FLOWERLESS PLANTS. 219 



other productions of the earth. Almost every tree, 

 after its decay, gives origin to a particular species of 

 mushroom. They are often seen as small as pins, with 

 little heads resembling red and yellow beads, growing 

 like a forest under the moist protection of some broad- 

 leaved shrubbery. Over the surface of all accumula 

 tions of decayed vegetable matter they are seen spread 

 ing out their umbrellas and lifting up their heads, often 

 springing up suddenly, as if by enchantment. But 

 they are short-lived, and soon perish if the light of the 

 sun is admitted into their shady haunts. 



Thus far have I endeavored to call attention to the 

 flowerless plants, not designing to treat of them in a 

 scientific manner. I have said nothing, therefore, of the 

 Characeae and the Equisetums, lest I make useless repe 

 titions of remarks which are necessarily of a general 

 character. Whoever will take pains to examine these 

 plants will discover an inexhaustible variety in their 

 forms, their modes of growth, and their fructification. 

 Hence those botanists who hdve given particular atten 

 tion to this class of plants have been noted for the 

 enthusiasm with which they pursued their researches. 

 I have never been initiated into the mysteries of their 

 life, growth, and continuance. I treat of them only 

 as they serve to add beauty to a little nook in the 

 garden, to a dripping rock, or to a solitary dell in 

 the wild wood. The more we study them, the 

 more are we charmed with their singularity and ele 

 gance. 



Thus, over all her productions has nature spread the 

 charms of beautiful forms and tints, from the humblest 

 mushroom that grows upon the decayed stump of a 

 tree, or the lichen that hangs in drapery from its living 

 branches, to the lofty tree itself that rears its head 



